Yosemite & the Eastern Sierra

Yosemite & the Eastern Sierra is a small book filled with photographs of, of course, Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra, by Gary Crabbe and interspersed with quotes by famous individuals who have explored the park. Though petite, the book has a ton of truly lovely images. This is another great book for palette inspiration. 

Pros: This is well printed book, and is a nice small size, great for carrying around with you. It has a ton of really great images, and can also be enjoyed for it's quotes. Also, the book can be bought for very cheap, some places for under a dollar!

Cons: --

How to Buy: Amazon

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NG: Sacred Places of a Lifetime

National Geographic's Sacred Places of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Most Peaceful and Powerful Destinations, is, without a doubt, one of my absolute favorite art books of all time. I full heartedly recommend this book to anyone of any inclination, because there is guaranteed to be something in it for you. Being National Geographic, the photographs are, as a matter of course, absolutely mesmerizing. The information is helpful, informative, unique, and leaves just enough for you to explore further if the flight takes your fancy. And the shear breath of images, ranging throughout the world, revered and forgotten, natural and man-made, daily and exclusive, the book can capture anyone's imagination. 

Most of the pages follow this layout, a single dominating image, a map indicating the location of the specific site in relation to the world and a brief description about what makes that place special. Then additional information is provided, such as what time of year is best to visit, where to stay, and how you should plan your visit, as well as any other highlights. 

The book is interspersed with groups of "Ten Sacred_____" These locations are not otherwise mentioned in the book, but you are given enough information to become interested, and research further if you so desire. 

The book also has a section dedicated to sacred celebrations. Focusing less on location, these event are all steeped in tradition.

Even modern places of remembrance are respected

Pros: Everything! This book is well bound, nice slick paper, wonderful photographs, evocative, inspiring, and very well rounded. In fact, this book was so successful, it helped to create the spinoffs by National Geographic, Secret Journey's of a Lifetime, and Drives of a Lifetime. This is a good solid book, pretty heavy, and wonderful for reference, inspiration, or just plan coffee table book. 

Cons: --

How to Buy: Amazon

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The Earth (CubeBook)

Part of the Cube Book series, The Earth dedicates itself to documenting astounding photos of, you guessed it, Earth. Broken into sections labeled such as, The Pillars of the Sky (Mountains) , Roots of the World (Forests), and The Gods of Fire (Volcanos), the book skillfully guides you through similar landscapes while simultaneously leaping across continents. This book knows what it is for, and delivers page after page of text-free wonder. There are no humans photographed, and only a couple of animals, this is purely a landscape book, but it lives up to that fully. I would recommend this as a great inspiration/reference book, not only for it's multitude of truly breathtaking shots of unique landscapes, but because the pallet in each and every image is evocative.   

This series also has the books, The Sea and The Sky, and I can vouch that, having seen The Sky, it is also an excellent book. Again, great for color insperation. 

Pros: Nearly 800 pages of beautiful glossy astounding photos with no text. This is a book made to enjoy. It has good binding, and a hard cover. Although it is a rather thick book, so I wouldn't recommend throwing it around too much

Cons: Not exactly a Con, but it's dimensions are more iconic than ergonomic. At 6.5" x 6.5" and 2" thick, it does resemble a cube. However, it's too small for a traditional book shelf, too tiny to be considered a classical table book, but too heavy to be pocketed. That being said, I would still recommend, and purchase it for anyone. 

How To Buy: Amazon
This is another book that can be found in overstock, or Half Price Book places. That being said, it can be bought from sellers online for under $5. However, BE CAREFUL there is a version out there of The Earth that is LITERALLY a Cube, 2" x 2" x 2". While cute, it's notorious for being impossible to see anything or really enjoy. 

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